Drawing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A drawing apparatus includes a mounting section having a mounting surface for mounting thereon a drawing target object having a drawing target surface, a carriage for attaching thereto a drawing tool having a tip portion at one end, and a drawing tool pressing mechanism for bringing the tip portion of the drawing tool attached to the carriage into contact with the drawing target surface of the drawing target object mounted on the mounting surface. 
     The carriage includes a fitting member to be fitted with the tip portion of the drawing tool, and configured to be movable with the drawing tool having the fitted tip portion, and a biasing member biasing the fitting member in a direction away from the mounting surface. 
     The drawing tool pressing mechanism presses the drawing tool with the tip portion fitted with the fitting member in a direction where the tip portion approaches the mounting surface, and brings the tip portion into contact with the drawing target surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2013-263762, filed on Dec.20, 2013, and 2014-131329, filed on Jun. 26, 2014, and the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drawing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A nail printing apparatus is conventionally known which prints designimages such as colors and patterns on the surfaces of nails of a personby an inkjet method.

However, the diameter of a nozzle hole of an inkjet print head is small.Therefore, there are restrictions such as that an ink having a colormaterial with a large particle size and an ink having a high viscositycannot be used. Hence, there is a limit to printable nail designs.

In order to deal with this, there is a plotter drawing apparatus thatincludes a drawing unit on which a drawing tool such as a pen isattached, and causes a tip portion of the pen to come into contact withpaper to draw. Such a drawing apparatus is described in, for example, JP7-266789 A. The use of the plotter drawing apparatus as a drawingapparatus that performs nail printing with high color saturation, usingvarious inks is conceivable.

Here, a nail being a print target object of the nail printing apparatushas a curved shape whose ends and center portion are different inheight. A print target surface being the surface of the nail changesrelatively largely in the up and down direction (height direction) byapproximately 10 mm at the maximum.

Hence, if the plotter drawing apparatus is used as the nail printingapparatus, it is necessary to apply appropriate pressure on a tipportion of a drawing tool such as a pen and relatively largely andflexibly move the tip portion up and down, following changes in theheight direction of the surface of the nail.

However, the known plotter printing apparatus is configured assuming todraw on a flat surface such as paper. Hence, it does not have astructure that can apply appropriate pressure on the tip portion of thedrawing tool such as a pen and cause the tip portion to excellentlyfollow relatively large changes in the up and down direction (heightdirection) of the drawing target surface.

Furthermore, in the plotter printing apparatus, it is necessary tocontrol the shift of the axis of the pen of when the drawing tool islargely moved up and down in order to draw with fine detail whilelargely moving the drawing tool up and down. However, in the knownplotter drawing apparatus, this point is not considered, either. Hence,it is difficult in the configuration of the known plotter drawingapparatus to smoothly and beautifully perform nail printing on thesurface of the nail.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has an advantage that can provide a drawingapparatus that can follow changes in the height direction of a drawingtarget surface and control the shift of the axis of a pen to performnail printing with fine detail, in a case of drawing on nails in theplotter method.

There is provided a drawing apparatus including: a mounting sectionincluding a mounting surface configured to mount thereon a drawingtarget object having a drawing target surface; a carriage including afitting member configured to be fitted with a tip portion of a drawingtool having the tip portion on one end side, and be movable togetherwith the drawing tool whose tip portion is fitted therein, and a biasingmember biasing the fitting member in a first direction away from themounting surface; and a drawing tool pressing mechanism configured topress the drawing tool whose tip portion is fitted in the fitting memberin a second direction where the tip portion approaches the mountingsurface with a larger force than a biasing force of the biasing member,and bring the tip portion into contact with the drawing target surfaceof the drawing target object mounted on the mounting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front view of a nail printing apparatus in a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view in section illustrating an internal configurationby sectioning a part of the nail printing apparatus illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a drawing head in the first embodiment, FIG. 3Bis a front view of the drawing head of FIG. 3A when viewed from an arrowb direction, and FIG. 3C is a side view of the drawing head of FIG. 3Awhen viewed from an arrow c direction;

FIG. 4A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen carriage in a statewhere auxiliary shaft members are not being pressed, FIG. 4B is a sideview that enlarges a part of the pen carriage in a state where theauxiliary shaft members are being pressed, FIG. 4C is a bottom view ofthe pen carriage of FIG. 4A when viewed from the undersurface side, andFIG. 4D is a plan view that enlarges a part of a first plate-likemember;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a pen;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of a slide pin, a coil spring, and a pinattachment member, and FIG. 6A is a side view illustrating a state wherethe slide pin is not being pressed, and FIG. 6B is a side viewillustrating a state where the slide pin is being pressed;

FIG. 7A is a side view that enlarges the pen carriage at the time ofnon-drawing and a pen supported by the pen carriage, and FIG. 7B is aside view that enlarges the pen carriage in a state where the pen isbeing pressed down, and the pen supported by the pen carriage;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the pen carriage in a drawing state where afinger is placed in a finger fixing section and the pen supported by thepen carriage;

FIG. 9 is a main part block diagram illustrating a control configurationof the nail printing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a drawing head in a second embodiment, FIG.10B is a front view of the drawing head of FIG. 1 OA when viewed from anarrow b direction, and FIG. 10C is a side view of the drawing head ofFIG. 10A when viewed from an arrow c direction;

FIG. 11A is a top view of a pen in a third embodiment, FIG. 11B is aside view of the pen of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a side view of a nibfitting member into which the pen of FIG. 11A is fitted, and auxiliaryshaft members, and FIG. 11D is a bottom view of the nib fitting memberand the auxiliary shaft members of FIG. 11C when viewed from an arrow ddirection;

FIG. 12A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen carriage in astate where the auxiliary shaft members are not being pressed in thethird embodiment, FIG. 12B is a side view that enlarges a part of thepen carriage in a state where the auxiliary shaft members are beingpressed in the third embodiment, and FIG. 12C is a bottom view of thepen carriage of FIG. 12A when viewed from an arrow c direction;

FIG. 13A is a top view of a drawing head in a fourth embodiment, andFIG. 13B is a side view of the drawing head of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a side view of a pen in a state where auxiliary shaftmembers are not being pressed in the fourth embodiment, FIG. 14B is aside view of the pen in a state where the auxiliary shaft members arebeing pressed in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 14C is a bottom view ofthe pen and the nib fitting member of FIG. 14A when viewed from an arrowc direction; and

FIG. 15A is a top view of a drawing head in a fifth embodiment, and FIG.15B is a side view of the drawing head of FIG. 15A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a drawing apparatus and a drawing control method for thedrawing apparatus according to the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the drawings.

Various limitations, which are technically preferable, are added to theembodiments described below to carry out the present invention. However,the scope of the present invention is not limited by the followingembodiments and illustrated examples.

In the following embodiments, a drawing apparatus is assumed to drawwith a finger of the hand as a drawing target object, and the surface ofthe nail of the finger of the hand as a drawing target surface. However,the drawing target object of the present invention is not limited to afinger of the hand, and the drawing target surface is not limited to thesurface of the nail of the finger of the hand. For example, a toe of thefoot may be set as the drawing target object, and the surface of thenail of the toe of the foot as the drawing target surface.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the nail printing apparatus (drawing apparatus)according to the present invention is described with reference to FIGS.1 to 9.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a nailprinting apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view in section illustrating the internal configurationby sectioning a part of the nail printing apparatus illustrated in FIG.1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the nail printing apparatus (drawingapparatus) 1 in the embodiment is a plotter printing apparatus where adrawing head 70 includes a pen 71 that draws on a nail T of a printfinger U1.

The nail printing apparatus 1 includes a case main body 2 and anapparatus main body 10 housed in the case main body 2.

A pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 configured to be openable andclosable for replacing the pen (drawing tool) 71 of a drawing unit 7described below is provided at one end of an upper part of a sidesurface of the case main body 2.

The pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 is pivotable on, for example,a hinge from the closed state to the open state, as illustrated in FIG.1.

Furthermore, a medium insertion/removal port 24 where a drawing medium(not illustrated) to be mounted on a pen break-in section 61 describedbelow can be replaced is formed at a position on one side surface of thecase main body 2 (a left side surface in FIG. 1 in the embodiment), theposition corresponding to the pen break-in section 61.

An operating unit 25 (refer to FIG. 9) is placed on a top surface (top)of the case main body 2.

The operating unit 25 is an input unit that allows a user to performvarious input operations.

Unillustrated operation buttons for performing various input operations,such as a power switch button to turn on the power to the nail printingapparatus 1, a stop switch button to stop the operation, a designselection button to select a design image to be drawn on the nail T, anda drawing start button to instruct the start of drawing, are placed onthe operating unit 25.

A display unit 26 is placed in a substantially center portion of the topsurface (top) of the case main body 2.

The display unit 26 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic electroluminescence display,or any other flat display.

In the embodiment, for example, a nail image (a finger image includingan image of the nail T) obtained by photographing the print finger U1,an image of the outline and the like of the nail T included in the nailimage, a design selection screen for selecting a design image to bedrawn on the nail T, a thumbnail image for a design check, and aninstruction screen for displaying various instructions are displayed onthe display unit 26, as appropriate.

A touch panel may be integrally formed on the surface of the displayunit 26. In this case, it is configured in such a manner as to be ableto perform various input operations by touch operations of touching thesurface of the display unit 26 with, for example, an unillustratedstylus pen or fingertip, the stylus pen being a rod-like writinginstrument with a pointing tip and writing by being pressed against thesurface of the touch panel.

The apparatus main body 10 includes a lower machine casing 11 formedinto a substantially box shape and placed in a lower part inside thecase main body 2, and an upper machine casing 12 placed in an upper partinside the case main body 2 above the lower machine casing 11.

First, the lower machine casing 11 is described.

The lower machine casing 11 includes a back plate 111, a bottom plate112, a pair of left and right side plates 113 a and 113 b, anX-direction moving stage housing section 114, a Y-direction moving stagehousing section 115, and a dividing wall 116.

Lower ends of the side plates 113 a and 113 b are coupled directly toboth of left and right ends of the bottom plate 112. The side plates 113a and 113 b are provided in a standing manner with respect to the bottomplate 112.

A lower part of the back plate 111 is formed in such a manner as to berecessed toward the front (frontward in a finger insertion direction) intwo stages. A lower end of the back plate 111 is coupled to a front endof the bottom plate 112. The back plate 111 partitions an areasurrounded by the bottom plate 112 and the side plates 113 a and 113 binto front and back spaces.

The space formed behind the recessed back plate 111 serves as theX-direction moving stage housing section 114 and the Y-direction movingstage housing section 115 (refer to FIG. 2). An X-direction moving stage45 of the drawing unit 7 is housed in the X-direction moving stagehousing section 114 when the drawing unit 7 has moved to the front(frontward in the finger insertion direction).

A Y-direction moving stage 47 of the drawing unit 7 is placed in theY-direction moving stage housing section 115.

The dividing wall 116 is provided inside the lower machine casing 11 insuch a manner as to partition the front space in the lower machinecasing 11 (the frontward space in the finger insertion directionsurrounded by the back plate 111, the bottom plate 112, and the sideplates 113 a and 113 b) into upper and lower spaces.

The dividing wall 116 is provided substantially horizontally. Both ofleft and right ends of the dividing wall 116 are coupled directly to theside plates 113 a and 113 b, respectively. A back end of the dividingwall 116 is coupled to the back plate 111.

The lower machine casing 11 is integrally provided with a finger fixingsection 30 (refer to FIG. 2).

The finger fixing section 30 includes a finger receiving section 31 thatreceives a finger corresponding to the nail T on which drawing isperformed (hereinafter referred to as the “print finger U1”), and afinger withdrawal section 32 that allows the fingers but the printfinger U1 (hereinafter referred to as the “non-print fingers U2”) towithdraw.

The finger receiving section 31 is placed in a substantially centralportion in the width direction of the lower machine casing 11 above thedividing wall 116.

The space partitioned by the dividing wall 116 as the lower side of thelower machine casing 11 forms the finger withdrawal section 32.

For example, if drawing is performed on the nail T of the ring finger,the ring finger as the print finger U1 is inserted into the fingerreceiving section 31, and the other four fingers (the thumb, indexfinger, middle finger, and little finger) being the non-print fingers U2are inserted into the finger withdrawal section 32, as illustrated inFIG. 8.

The finger receiving section 31 opens toward the front surface side ofthe lower machine casing 11 (frontward in the print finger insertiondirection). A lower side of the finger receiving section 31 ispartitioned by a finger mounting section 116 a forming a part of thedividing wall 116, both sides thereof by a divider 31 a, and a back sidethereof by a divider 31 c (refer to FIG. 8). The finger mounting section116 a is for mounting a finger of the nail T on which drawing isperformed (the print finger U1 and the drawing target object) on an X-Yplane.

An upper side of the finger receiving section 31 is partitioned by aceiling section 31 d.

A window 31 e for exposing the nail T of the print finger U1, which hasbeen inserted into the finger receiving section 31, is formed in theceiling section 31 d (refer to FIG. 8).

Front walls 31 f (refer to FIG. 1) that block the front surface side ofthe lower machine casing 11 are provided in a standing manner on a topsurface of the dividing wall 116 at both ends on the front surface sideof the lower machine casing 11.

A pair of guide walls 31 g (refer to FIG. 1) that narrows from one endsof the front walls 31 f, which are closer to the central portion, towardthe finger receiving section 31 and guides the print finger U1 into thefinger receiving section 31 is provided in a standing manner on the topsurface of the dividing wall 116.

The user can sandwich the dividing wall 116 between the print finger U1inserted into the finger receiving section 31 and the non-print fingersU2 inserted into the finger withdrawal section 32. Hence, the printfinger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section 31 is stably fixed.

In the embodiment, a protrusion 116 b protruding downward is formed at afront end of the dividing wall 116.

The protrusion 116 b is a taper portion whose thickness graduallydecreases toward the front side and gradually increases toward the backside. The protrusion 116 b may have a structure that is thick as a wholeas compared to a recess on a back side of the dividing wall 116. In thismanner, the protrusion 116 b is formed at the front end of the dividingwall 116. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the non-printfingers U2 have been inserted into the finger withdrawal section 32, aspace is secured between the nail T of the already drawn finger and thedividing wall 116 so that it is possible to prevent the ink fromattaching to the apparatus side and prevent the design drawn on the nailT from being smudged and marred, due to the contact of the nail T withan undersurface of the dividing wall 116.

The pen break-in section 61 that allows the pen 71 described below tobreak in is provided on a top surface of the lower machine casing 11 ona side of the finger receiving section 31 (a position corresponding tothe medium insertion/removal port 24 of the case main body 2, and on theleft side in FIG. 1 in the embodiment) within a drawable area of thedrawing head 70 described below.

The pen break-in section 61 is formed by recessing a part of the topsurface of the lower machine casing 11, and is preferably provided insuch a manner as that the height of the pen break-in section 61 is madesubstantially the same as that of the nail T of when the print finger U1is inserted into the finger receiving section 31.

The pen break-in section 61 is a flat plate-like part, and is configuredin such a manner as that an unillustrated drawn medium inserted from theabove-mentioned medium insertion/removal port 24 of the case main body 2is mounted thereon.

The drawn medium to be mounted on the pen break-in section 61 isrequired to enable a nib (tip portion) 713 to break in and is, forexample, a slip of paper.

In order to prevent the start of drawing from becoming patchy due toreasons such as the dry nib 713 and insufficient deposition of ink, thepen break-in section 61 lowers the pen 71 on the drawn medium, draws apredetermined shape such as “o” or “∞”, causes the nib 713 to break in,and makes the state of the nib 713 excellent before starting drawing onthe nail T with image data.

The predetermined shape to be drawn upon breaking in is not speciallylimited. However, simple shapes such as “o” and “∞” are preferable toprevent a waste of ink. In breaking in, it is preferable to shift theshape drawing position bit by bit within an area of the pen break-insection 61 for every break-in.

When drawing has been performed on the substantially entire surface ofthe drawn medium, a display screen that prompts the replacement of thedrawn medium, such as “Please replace the paper,” is configured to bedisplayed on the display unit 26.

In this case, the user removes the drawn medium from the mediuminsertion/removal port 24 to replace it with a new one. Accordingly, itenters a state where break-in can be performed on the new drawn medium.

For example, if the drawn medium is a roll of paper, when the drawingspace is used up, the drawn medium is unreeled from the roll of paper toenable break-in on a new drawing surface.

The drawing unit 7 is formed including, for example, the drawing head 70having the drawing purpose pen 71, a unit supporting member 44 thatsupports the drawing head 70, the X-direction moving stage 45 for movingthe drawing head 70 in the X direction (the X direction in FIG. 1, andthe left and right direction of the nail printing apparatus 1), anX-direction movement motor 46, the Y-direction moving stage 47 formoving the drawing head 70 in the Y direction (the Y direction in FIG.2, and the front and back direction of the nail printing apparatus 1),and a Y-direction movement motor 48.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the drawing head 70.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 3A when viewedfrom an arrow b direction.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 3A when viewedfrom an arrow c direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the embodiment, the drawing head 70includes a rotary pen carriage 72 that can hold a plurality of pens 71,a carriage rotating mechanism 73 for rotating the pen carriage 72, and apen pressing mechanism 74 for moving up and down the pen 71 held by thepen carriage 72.

An upper end of the unit supporting member 44 is a beam portion 441jutting out toward the front side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (theleft side in FIG. 2) in a substantially L shape. The drawing head 70 isprovided to the beam portion 441.

The pen carriage 72 of the embodiment includes three plate-like members721 to 723 (in other words, the first plate-like member 721, the secondplate-like member 722, and the third plate-like member 723), nib fittingmembers 720, a rotating shaft 724, auxiliary shaft members 725, coilsprings 726, pen-specific cylindrical members 761, and a rotatingshaft-specific cylindrical member 762.

The three plate-like members 721 to 723 (the first plate-like member721, the second plate-like member 722, and the third plate-like member723) are disc-shaped members formed in substantially the same size, andare stacked in the order of the first plate-like member 721, the secondplate-like member 722, and the third plate-like member 723 from thebottom.

Teeth to mesh with a gear 733 of the carriage rotating mechanism 73 areformed on an outer peripheral surface of the third plate-like member 723placed at the top. The third plate-like member 723 functions as a gear.

A reference indicator 728 for indicating a reference position of therotation of the pen carriage 72 is provided at a predetermined position(for example, a position corresponding to a predetermined pen-specificcylindrical member 761) on an outer peripheral surface of the secondplate-like member 722.

The reference indicator 728 is a reflective cloth, a reflective sheet,or the like that can be read by, for example, a photoreflector, and isfixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second plate-like member722 by affixation or the like in the embodiment.

The pen carriage 72 includes eight pen-specific cylindrical members 761that open upward and downward and respectively hold the pens 71, theeight pen-specific cylindrical members 761 being placed along theperiphery of the pen carriage 72.

FIG. 4A is a main part side view enlarging and illustrating a part ofthe pen carriage 72, and illustrates a non-drawing state where the pen71 is up.

FIG. 4B is a main part side view illustrating a drawable state where thepen 71 of FIG. 4A is down.

FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the pen carriage 72 of FIG. 4A when viewedfrom the undersurface side.

FIG. 4D is a partially enlarged view of the first plate-like member 721,which illustrates a state where the nib fitting member 720 has beenremoved from the first plate-like member 721 of FIG. 4C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, in the embodiment, through holes (onlya through hole 721 a of the first plate-like member 721 is illustratedin FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4D) corresponding to the positions where thepen-specific cylindrical members 761 are placed are respectively formedin the three plate-like members 721 to 723. The pen-specific cylindricalmember 761 is inserted through the through holes, and is providedpenetrating the three plate-like members 721 to 723.

The number of the pen-specific cylindrical members 761 provided to thepen carriage 72 is not specially limited. It may be more than or lessthan eight.

As the number of the pen-specific cylindrical members 761 included isincreased, more pens 71 can be held simultaneously. Accordingly, itbecomes possible to draw a complicated nail design using various inks.

Not all the pen-specific cylindrical members 761 are required to holdthe pen 71.

FIGS. 3A and 3C illustrate an example where four pen-specificcylindrical members 761 out of eight hold the pens 71.

Through holes for an auxiliary shaft through which the auxiliary shaftmembers 725 are inserted (only a through hole 721 b of the firstplate-like member 721 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4D) are formedon both sides of the through holes for a pen in the first plate-likemember 721 and the second plate-like member 722.

The nib fitting members 720 are respectively placed on an undersurfaceof the first plate-like member 721 in such a manner as to blockundersurfaces of the pen-specific cylindrical members 761.

The nib fitting member 720 is a fitting member for fixing a tip portionside of a pen shaft portion 711 of the pen 71 being a drawing tool.

The nib fitting member 720 is provided with the auxiliary shaft members725 that are fixed in parallel with the pen shaft portion 711 of the pen71 and move up and down together with the pen 71, and the coil springs726 as auxiliary shaft biasing members that bias the auxiliary shaftmembers 725 upward in a state where an external force is not applied.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the substantially central portion ofthe nib fitting member 720 is provided with a through hole 720 a intowhich a fitting portion 712 of the pen 71, which is described below, isinserted and the fitting portion 712 is fitted. Recesses 720 b intowhich the auxiliary shaft members 725 are fitted are provided on bothsides of the through hole 720 a.

The auxiliary shaft member 725 is inserted through the through holes foran auxiliary shaft in the first plate-like member 721 and the secondplate-like member 722. A lower end portion of the auxiliary shaft member725 is fitted in the recess 720 b of the nib fitting member 720.

Consequently, the auxiliary shaft member 725 is fixed to the nib fittingmember 720 in parallel with the pen shaft portion 711 of the pen 71.

An E ring 727 jutting outward is provided in the vicinity of an upperend of the auxiliary shaft member 725.

The outer diameter of the E ring 727 is formed larger than the innerdiameter of the through hole for an auxiliary shaft in the secondplate-like member 722.

The coil spring 726 is wound around the outer periphery of the pen 71between the E ring 727 and a top surface of the second plate-like member722.

The coil spring 726 as the auxiliary shaft biasing member biases theauxiliary shaft member 725 upward in the state where the external forceis not applied.

In the embodiment, the coil spring 726 as the auxiliary shaft biasingmember is an elastic member that is placed on the outer periphery of thepen 71 and is compressed when the pen 71 is pressed downward by theexternal force, and has a restoring force that attempts to return to theoriginal state against the external force.

One end side of the coil spring 726 is in contact with an undersurfaceof the E ring 727. The other end side is in contact with the top surfaceof the second plate-like member 722.

The coil spring 726 holds the position of the pen 71 at a position wherethe nib 713 is not in contact with the nail T in a non-drawing state. Inother words, as described above, the auxiliary shaft member 725 isbiased upward (upward in FIGS. 4A and 4B) by the coil spring 726 andheld at a position where the upper end of the auxiliary shaft member 725is in contact with an undersurface of the third plate-like member 723 inthe state where the external force is not applied.

In this state, the nib 713 is located near the undersurface of the firstplate-like member 721. It is configured in such a manner as that the nib713 does not come into contact with the nail T even if the pen carriagemoves above the finger receiving section 31.

Through holes (only a through hole 721 c of the first plate-like member721 is illustrated in FIG. 4D) are formed in substantially centralportions of the three plate-like members 721 to 723.

The rotating shaft-specific cylindrical member 762 is inserted throughthe through holes in the central portions. The rotating shaft-specificcylindrical member 762 is provided penetrating the three plate-likemembers 721 to 723.

The rotating shaft 724 suspended from the beam portion 441 is insertedthrough the rotating shaft-specific cylindrical member 762. The pencarriage 72 is configured to be rotatable substantially horizontallyaround the rotating shaft 724.

Washers are provided to the rotating shaft 724 in such a manner as tosandwich the top and bottom of the pen carriage 72. It is preferablethat a retaining E ring or the like be provided at a lower end of therotating shaft 724. Consequently, the pen carriage 72 can rotate moresmoothly around the rotating shaft 724.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the appearance of the pen 71 held bysuch a pen-specific cylindrical member 761 as illustrated in FIGS. 3Aand 3C in the embodiment.

The pen 71 is a drawing tool that sets the surface of the nail T as thedrawing target surface, brings its tip portion into contact with thesurface of the nail T being the drawing target surface, and drawsthereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pen 71 as the drawing tool is providedwith the nib 713 on the tip portion side (lower side of FIG. 5) of therod-like pen shaft portion 711.

In the embodiment, the fitting portion 712 having a smaller diameterthan that of the pen shaft portion 711 is provided on the tip portionside of the pen shaft portion 711.

The fitting portion 712 is a part to be fitted into the through hole 720a of the nib fitting member 720. The fitting portion 712 is fitted intothe through hole 720 a so that the nib 713 is mated excellently.Accordingly, a shake and the like of the nib 713 become hard to occur.

A rod-like protrusion 714 is provided on top of the pen shaft portion711.

The protrusion 714 is a part to be pressed by a slide pin 77 describedbelow.

The protrusion 714 also functions as a holding portion to be heldbetween fingers or the like when the user removes the pen 71 upon thereplacement and the like of the pen 71.

In the embodiment, the case where a tip portion of the protrusion 714 ishemispherical is illustrated. However, the shape of the tip portion ofthe protrusion 714 is simply required to be a shape that can stablyapply pressure by a pressing surface 747 a, and gives a user an easyhold. The shape of the tip portion of the protrusion 714 is not limitedto the illustrated example.

The tip portion of the protrusion 714 may have, for example, a sphericalshape or a flat plate shape.

The inside of the pen shaft portion 711 is an ink storage portion forstoring various inks.

Various inks can be applied as the inks to be stored in the pen shaftportion 711.

The viscosity of ink, the particle diameter (particle size) of a colormaterial, and the like are not specially limited. For example, gold andsilver lame inks, white ink, UV curing inks and gel polishes,undercoats, top coats, and nail polishes can also be used.

In the embodiment, the pen 71 is a pen having the ballpoint pen nib 713through which the ink stored in the pen shaft portion 711 seeps by, forexample, pressing the nib 713 against the surface of the nail T toenable drawing.

The pen 71 is not limited to the ballpoint pen.

It may be, for example, a marker pen that impregnates a felt tip withink to draw, and a brush pen that impregnates a bundle of bristles withink to draw.

Various sizes can be prepared for the nib 713.

The pens 71 held by the pen carriage 72 may be pens all having the nibs713 of the same type, or pens having the nibs 713 of different types.

The pen 71 is held only by being inserted through the pen-specificcylindrical member 761 of the pen carriage 72 from above. Hence, it canbe easily replaced by methods such as opening the pen replacementpurpose cover unit 23 provided to the case main body 2 to hold theprotrusion 714 with, for example, a hand or tweezers.

Consequently, the user can realize a wide range of nail designs byappropriately replacing the pen 71 to be attached to the pen carriage 72with the pen 71 with a different color, a different type of nib 713, anda different type of ink in accordance with the nail design that the userdesires to draw.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the carriage rotating mechanism 73 includes astep motor 731, and the gear 733 connected to the step motor 731 via therotating shaft 732 to mesh with the teeth formed on the outer peripheralsurface of the third plate-like member 723.

In the embodiment, the rotating shaft 732 is rotated by the drive of thestep motor 731. When the gear 733 attached to the rotating shaft 732 isrotated, the third plate-like member 723 as the gear meshing with thegear 733 is rotated. Consequently, it is configured to rotate the pencarriage 72 leftward and rightward.

The carriage rotating mechanism 73 includes an indicator reading portion734 for reading the reference indicator 728 of the pen carriage 72. Theindicator reading portion 734 includes a photoreflector or the like thatcan read the reference indicator 728 including, for example, areflective cloth or reflective sheet. The indicator reading portion 734is configured to output a read result to a drawing control unit 815whenever reading the reference indicator 728.

The pen pressing mechanism 74 includes an elastically deformable pressside elastic member, and is configured to press downward the pen 71being a drawing tool attached to the pen carriage 72.

In the embodiment, the pen pressing mechanism 74 includes a solenoid 740having a coil portion 741 and a plunger 742, a pin 743 attached to amovable end side of the plunger 742 of the solenoid 740, a flat springlift lever 744 coupled at one end to the plunger 742 via the pin 743, aflat spring 746 attached to the other end of the flat spring lift lever744, the slide pin 77, and a coil spring 78 placed on an outer peripheryof the slide pin 77.

The solenoid 740 of the embodiment is a pull-type solenoid that pullsthe plunger 742 to the coil portion 741 side (the right side in FIG. 7Aand the like) by the energization of the coil portion 741 and protrudesthe plunger 742 to the original position by stopping the energization.

The solenoid 740 is required to reciprocate linearly, and is not limitedto the pull type but may be configured to be a push type.

A supporting member 442 is provided in a standing manner on the beamportion 441. A supporting shaft 745 is provided to the supporting member442, extending in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction ofthe plunger 742.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the flat spring lift lever 744 has asubstantially L shape in side view. The supporting shaft 745 is insertedthrough a cross section portion of the L shape of the flat spring liftlever 744. The flat spring lift lever 744 can pivot on the supportingshaft 745.

A long hole 744 a is formed in the flat spring lift lever 744 on aconnection side to the plunger 742. The pin 743 attached to the plunger742 is fitted in the long hole 744 a.

The flat spring 746 is fixed on the other end side of the flat springlift lever 744.

The flat spring 746 is a press side elastic member that can come intocontact with a head of the slide pin 77 and press downward the slide pin77 and the pen 71 with which the slide pin 77 subsequently comes intocontact, and also that can bend and deform when being pressed upward bythe slide pin 77 and the pen 71.

The flat spring 746 of the embodiment is a flat plate-like spring, andis placed in such a manner as that its free end side is located abovethe slide pin 77.

The flat spring 746 has a sufficiently wide width for the slide pin 77and is configured to come into line or surface contact with the head ofthe slide pin 77.

If the flat spring 746 is configured to come into point contact with theslide pin 77, the flat spring 746 may deviate from the slide pin 77.Hence, it is configured in such a manner as that the flat spring 746comes into line or surface contact with the slide pin 77 in order toenable the flat spring 746 to stably and securely press the slide pin77.

Consequently, the flat spring 746 does not deviate from the slide pin 77and can stably press the pen 71, which has been brought into contactwith the slide pin 77, down in the vertical direction.

A general spring material can be used as the material forming the flatspring 746. For example, “SUS”, “spring steel”, “phosphor bronze”, and“beryllium copper” can be applied. For example, “SUS301-H”, “SUS304”,and “SUS316” can be used as “SUS”.

The material forming the flat spring 746 is not limited to thoseillustrated herein. The pressing force by the flat spring 746 is relatedto the bending amount of the spring and the length of the flat spring746 (in other words, a distance from a base end (a fixed end to the flatspring lift lever 744) to the free end that acts on a press target). Ifthe length of the flat spring 746 is short, even if a softer material isused, a sufficient pressing force can be obtained. If the length of theflat spring 746 is long, a sufficient pressing force cannot be obtainedunless a harder material is used.

The pressing force can be adjusted by the spring constant decided by thematerial used to form the flat spring 746 and the shape (length, width,and the like) of the flat spring 746. The pressing force is set inaccordance with an arrangement space and the like of the flat spring746, as appropriate.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state where the slide pin 77 is up.FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where the slide pin 77 isdown.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the slide pin 77 can move in the upand down direction and is configured in such a manner as that a lowerend of the slide pin 77 can come into contact with the top of the pen 71in a state where the slide pin 77 is down.

Specifically, in the embodiment, the slide pin 77 includes a pin shaftportion 771, a pin head 772 that is provided to an upper end of the pinshaft portion 771, has a larger diameter than that of the pin shaftportion 771, and juts outward of the pin shaft portion 771, and a flangeportion 773 that is provided to a lower end surface of the pin shaftportion 771, has a larger diameter than that of the pin shaft portion771, and juts outward of the pin shaft portion 771. A lower end surfaceof the flange portion 773 is provided with a pressing portion 774 thatcan come into contact with the top of the pen 71.

In the embodiment, the pressing portion 774 is formed in a conicalconcave shape to receive the protrusion 714 of the pen 71.

The shape of the pressing portion 774 is required to be able to stablyreceive an upper end of the protrusion 714, and is not limited to theconcave shape.

For example, the pressing portion 774 may be formed into a convex shape,and a concave portion that receives the pressing portion 774 may beformed at the upper end of the protrusion 714.

The coil spring 78 is a pin side elastic member that is placed on theouter periphery of the pin shaft portion 771 of the slide pin 77 betweenthe pin head 772 and a pin attachment member 79, is compressed when theslide pin 77 is pressed downward by the external force, and has arestoring force that attempts to return to the original state againstthe external force.

The pin side elastic member is not limited to a coil spring. As long asit is an elastic member that is compressed when the slide pin 77 ispressed downward by the external force and has a restoring force thatattempts to return to the original state against the external force.

The slide pin 77 and the coil spring 78 are attached by the pinattachment member 79 onto the beam portion 441.

In other words, a shaft insertion hole 791 through which the pin shaftportion 771 is inserted is formed in the pin attachment member 79.

The shaft insertion hole 791 is formed in such a manner as that theinner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the pin shaftportion 771 and is smaller than the outer diameters of the pin head 772and the flange portion 773, and is configured in such a manner as toprevent the pin shaft portion 771 inserted through the shaft insertionhole 791 from coming off.

The coil spring 78 provided on the outer periphery of the pin shaftportion 771 is stopped on one end side in contact with a top surface ofthe pin attachment member 79, and is stopped on the other end sidebumping into an undersurface of the pin head 772. When the slide pin 77is pressed downward by the external force, the coil spring 78 iscompressed between the top surface of the pin attachment member 79 andthe undersurface of the pin head 772.

Screw-specific holes 792 are formed in the pin attachment member 79.Screws are inserted through the screw-specific holes 792 to screw andfix the pin attachment member 79 onto the beam portion 441. Accordingly,the slide pin 77 having the pin shaft portion 771 inserted through theshaft insertion hole 791, and the coil spring 78 provided on the outerperiphery of the pin shaft portion 771 are attached on the beam portion441.

In the embodiment, the press side elastic member includes the flatspring 746 and the coil spring 78 being the pin side elastic member.

FIG. 7A illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the pen pressingmechanism 74 is not being operated at the time of non-drawing.

FIG. 7B illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the pen pressingmechanism 74 is being operated at the time of drawing.

At the time of non-drawing, the coil portion 741 of the solenoid 740 isnot energized. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the plunger 742is in a state of protruding toward the front side of the nail printingapparatus 1 (the left side in FIG. 2). Accordingly, the pressing surface747 a of the flat spring 746 does not come into contact with theprotrusion 714 of the pen 71.

In this manner, in the state where the external force (the pressingforce by the flat spring 746) is not applied, the pen 71 is pressedupward (upward in FIGS. 4A and 4B) by the biasing forces of the coilsprings 726. The nib 713 is held at a height that does not come intocontact with the surface of the nail T being the drawing target surface.

In contrast, at the time of drawing, the coil portion 741 of thesolenoid 740 is energized to enter a state where the plunger 742 ispulled toward the back side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the rightside in FIG. 2) as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

Consequently, the flat spring lift lever 744 having one end into whichthe pin 743 of the plunger 742 is fitted pivots on the supporting shaft745. The flat spring 746 attached to the flat spring lift lever 744 isinclined downward. The free end side of the flat spring 746 comes intocontact with the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77 to press the slide pin77 downward.

Consequently, the pressing portion 774 of the slide pin 77 comes intocontact with the upper end of the protrusion 714 to press the protrusion714 downward.

In the embodiment, the spring constant of the flat spring 746 isconfigured to be larger than the spring constants of the coil spring726, which is the auxiliary shaft biasing member, and the coil spring78. Hence, in a state where the nail T is not placed below the pen 71 asin FIG. 7B, the flat spring 746 can press the pen 71 down to the lowestpoint only by being slightly bent.

FIG. 8 illustrates a state where the solenoid 740 of the pen pressingmechanism 74 is operated with the print finger U1 inserted into thefinger receiving section 31 and the nib 713 is in contact with the nailT.

In this case, as in FIG. 7B, the coil portion 741 of the solenoid 740 isenergized to enter a state where the plunger 742 is pulled toward theback side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the right side in FIG. 2).The flat spring lift lever 744 having one end through which the pin 743of the plunger 742 is inserted pivots on the supporting shaft 745.

Consequently, the flat spring 746 attached to the flat spring lift lever744 is inclined downward. The free end side of the flat spring 746 comesinto contact with the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77 to press theslide pin 77 downward.

Consequently, the pressing portion 774 of the slide pin 77 comes intocontact with the upper end of the auxiliary shaft members 725 andpresses the protrusion 714 downward.

When the auxiliary shaft members 725 are pressed down, the pen 71coupled to the auxiliary shaft members 725 by the nib fitting member 720is also pressed downward so that the nib 713 comes into contact with thesurface of the nail T.

When the nib 713 touches the nail T and the pen 71 is pressed up inaccordance with the curved shape of the nail T, the auxiliary shaftmembers 725 are also pressed up following it.

The flat spring 746 bends and deforms (elastically deforms) by beingpressed by the auxiliary shaft members 725. Accordingly, the pen 71follows the height of the nail T while maintaining appropriateinstrument pressure.

The spring constant of the flat spring 746 is not so large. The springconstant is set to a value with the magnitude that does not cause painand the like on the nail T when the pressing force (external force) bythe flat spring 746 is applied on the nail T.

Here, the flat spring 746 is appropriately bent to absorb impact causedby the up and down movements of the pen 71 and also drawing can bebeautifully performed with appropriate instrument pressure applied onthe nib 713.

The unit supporting member 44 is fixed to an X-direction moving unit 451attached to the X-direction moving stage 45.

The X-direction moving unit 451 is configured to move on the X-directionmoving stage 45 in the X direction along an unillustrated guide with thedrive of the X-direction movement motor 46.

Consequently, the drawing head 70 attached to the unit supporting member44 can move in the X direction (the X direction in FIG. 1 and the leftand right direction of the nail printing apparatus 1).

The X-direction moving stage 45 is fixed to a Y-direction moving unit471 of the Y-direction moving stage 47.

The Y-direction moving unit 471 is configured to move on the Y-directionmoving stage 47 in the Y direction along an unillustrated guide with thedrive of the Y-direction movement motor 48.

Consequently, the drawing head 70 attached to the unit supporting member44 can move in the Y direction (the Y direction in FIG. 2 and the frontand back direction of the nail printing apparatus 1).

In the embodiment, the X-direction moving stage 45 and the Y-directionmoving stage 47 are configured to combine the X-direction movement motor46, the Y-direction movement motor 48, and unillustrated ball screws andguides.

In the embodiment, the X-direction movement motor 46, the Y-directionmovement motor 48, and the like form a head drive unit 49 as an X-Ydrive unit that drives, in the X and Y directions, the drawing head 70including the pen 71 to draw on the nail T.

The solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 for moving the pen 71up and down, the step motor 731 for rotating the pen carriage 72, theX-direction movement motor 46, and the Y-direction movement motor 48 inthe drawing unit 7 are connected to the drawing control unit 815 (referto FIG. 9) of a control apparatus 80 described below and configured tobe controlled by the drawing control unit 815.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photographing unit 50 is provided tothe upper machine casing 12.

In other words, a base plate 13 is installed on the upper machine casing12. Two cameras 51 as imaging apparatuses of the photographing unit 50are installed on an undersurface of the central portion of the baseplate 13.

The camera 51 is preferably a small camera formed including a solidstate image sensor having, for example, approximately two million pixelsor more, a lens, and the like.

The camera 51 photographs the nail T of the print finger U1 insertedinto the finger receiving section 31, and obtains a nail image (a fingerimage including an image of the nail T) being an image of the nail T ofthe print finger U1.

In the embodiment, the two cameras 51 are provided in substantiallyparallel with the width direction of the nail T of the print finger U1inserted into the finger receiving section 31.

One of the two cameras 51 is provided facing an underside of the fingerreceiving section 31, and photographs the nail T from directly above.

The other camera 51 is placed at a slight inclination from the undersideof the finger receiving section 31, and photographs the nail T from anobliquely upward direction.

Illumination lamps (lighting devices) 52 such as white LEDs areinstalled on the base plate 13 in such a manner as to surround thecameras 51. The illumination lamps 52 light up the nail T of the printfinger U1 upon photographing with the cameras 51. The photographing unit50 is formed including the cameras 51 and the illumination lamps 52.

The photographing unit 50 is connected to a photographing control unit811 (refer to FIG. 9) of the control apparatus 80 described below andconfigured to be controlled by the photographing control unit 811.

Image data of the images photographed by the photographing unit 50 isstored in a nail image storage area 821 of a storage unit 82 describedbelow.

In the embodiment, the two cameras 51 as the imaging apparatuses canphotograph the nail T from at least two different positions/angles, andat least two nail images are acquired.

A nail information detection unit 812 described below detects nailinformation such as the outline of the nail T (the shape of the nail T),the curved shape of the nail T, and the vertical position, based onthese nail images.

The nail information detection unit 812 is configured to be able todetect the angle of inclination of the surface of the nail T(hereinafter referred to as the “inclination angle of the nail T” or“nail curvature”) from the X-Y plane based on these nail images.

In other words, for example, an image of the nail T from directly aboveand an image of the nail T from the obliquely upward direction arecaptured and accordingly not only the outline of the nail T but also theinclination angle of the surface of the nail T can be detectedcorrectly.

The content of the nail information detected by the nail informationdetection unit 812 is not limited to those illustrated herein byexample. Only a part (for example, the outline of the nail T) of theabove items may be detected as the nail information. Alternatively,other items other than the above items may be detected as the nailinformation.

The control apparatus 80 is installed on, for example, the base plate 13placed on the upper machine casing 12.

FIG. 9 is a main part block diagram illustrating a control configurationin the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the control apparatus 80 is a computerincluding a control unit 81 having an illustrated central processingunit (CPU), and a storage unit 82 having a read only memory (ROM), arandom access memory (RAM), and the like (any of which are notillustrated).

Various programs for operating the nail printing apparatus 1, variouspieces of data, and the like are stored in the storage unit 82.

Specifically, various programs such as a nail information detectionprogram for detecting, from the nail images, the nail information suchas the shape of the nail T and the outline of the nail T, a drawing datageneration program for generating drawing data, and a drawing programfor performing a drawing process are stored in the ROM of the storageunit 82. These programs are executed by the control apparatus 80 toperform overall control of each unit of the nail printing apparatus 1.

In the embodiment, the storage unit 82 is provided with the nail imagestorage area 821 where nail images of the nail T of the print finger U1of the user acquired by the photographing unit 50 are stored, a nailinformation storage area 822 where the nail information (the outline ofthe nail T, the inclination angle of the nail T, and the like) detectedby the nail information detection unit 812 is stored, and a nail designstorage area 823 where image data of a nail design to be drawn on thenail T is stored.

In terms of the functions, the control unit 81 includes thephotographing control unit 811, the nail information detection unit 812,a drawing data generation unit 813, a display control unit 814, and thedrawing control unit 815. The functions as the photographing controlunit 811, the nail information detection unit 812, the drawing datageneration unit 813, the display control unit 814, the drawing controlunit 815, and the like are achieved in cooperation with the CPU of thecontrol unit 81 and the programs stored in the ROM of the storage unit82.

The photographing control unit 811 controls the cameras 51 and theillumination lamps 52 of the photographing unit 50 and photographsimages of a finger including images of the nail T of the print finger U1inserted into the finger receiving section 31 (hereinafter referred toas the “nail images”) with the cameras 51.

In the embodiment, the photographing control unit 511 causes the twocameras 51 to acquire at least two nail images from differentpositions/angles (for example, from directly above the nail T and fromthe obliquely upward direction of the nail T).

Image data of the nail images acquired by the photographing unit 50 maybe stored in the storage unit 82.

The nail information detection unit 812 detects the nail information onthe nail T of the print finger U1 based on the images of the nail T ofthe print finger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section 31, theimages having been photographed by the cameras 51.

Here, the nail information is, for example, the outline of the nail T(the nail shape and the horizontal position of the nail T), the heightof the nail T (the position of the nail T in the vertical direction,hereinafter referred to as the “vertical position of the nail T” or alsosimply referred to as the “position of the nail T”), and the inclinationangle of the surface of the nail T (the inclination angle of the nail Tor the nail curvature) from the X-Y plane.

Specifically, the nail information detection unit 812 detects theoutline (shape and size) and position of the nail T from the nail imagesof the nail T of the print finger U1 acquired by the cameras 51, andacquires the outline as information expressed in the x and y coordinatesor the like.

The nail information detection unit 812 detects, for example, theoutline (shape) of the nail T from, for example, the nail images of thenail T of the print finger U1 acquired by the cameras 51 based ondifferences in, for example, color between the nail T and the otherfinger parts.

The method where the nail information detection unit 812 detects theoutline (shape) of the nail T is not specially limited, and is notlimited to those cited herein.

The nail information detection unit 812 detects the inclination angle ofthe nail T (the nail curvature) based on at least two nail imagesphotographed by the two cameras 51.

The nail information detection unit 812 detects the inclination angle ofthe nail T (the nail curvature) of the user from, for example,differences in position, shape, and the like appearing in the two nailimages photographed by the two cameras 51 from the differentpositions/angles (for example, from directly above the nail T and fromthe obliquely upward direction of the nail T).

The method where the nail information detection unit 812 detects theinclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) is not speciallylimited, and is not limited to those cited herein.

The drawing data generation unit 813 generates data for drawing to bedrawn on the nail T of the print finger U1 with the drawing head 70based on the nail information detected by the nail information detectionunit 812.

Specifically, the drawing data generation unit 813 performs anadjustment process by enlargement, size reduction, segmentation, and thelike on the image data of a nail design based on the shape and the likeof the nail T detected by the nail information detection unit 812, andgenerates data for drawing on the nail T.

In the embodiment, the drawing data generation unit 813 adjusts theimage data of the nail design to the shape of the nail T in accordancewith the nail information detected by the nail information detectionunit 812, and makes a curved surface correction and the like, asappropriate.

Consequently, the data for drawing of the nail design is generated.

The display control unit 814 controls the display unit 26 to displayvarious display screens on the display unit 26. In the embodiment, thedisplay control unit 814 is configured to cause the display unit 26 todisplay, for example, a nail design selection screen, a thumbnail imagefor a design check, nail images acquired by photographing the printfinger U1, and various instruction screens.

The drawing control unit 815 is a control unit that outputs a controlsignal to the drawing unit 7 based on the drawing data generated by thedrawing data generation unit 813, and controls the solenoid 740 of thepen pressing mechanism 74, the step motor 731, the X-direction movementmotor 46, and the Y-direction movement motor 48 in the drawing unit 7 insuch a manner as to draw on the nail T in accordance with the drawingdata.

In the embodiment, the drawing control unit 815 controls the operationof the solenoid 740 in such a manner as to not operate the solenoid 740at the time of non-drawing, and energize the coil portion 741 of thesolenoid 740 and pull the plunger 742 frontward at the time of drawing.

Consequently, at the time of non-drawing, the flat spring 746 does notpress down the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77. The auxiliary shaftmembers 725 are biased upward by the coil springs 726. The pen 71 entersa state where the nib 713 has been lifted to the position of not cominginto contact with the nail T.

On the other hand, at the time of drawing, the flat spring 746 pressesdown the pin head 772 of the slide pin 77. The pen 71 is pressed downagainst the biasing forces of the coil springs 726 to enter a statewhere the nib 713 has been lowered to a position of coming into contactwith the nail T.

In this manner, the drawing control unit 815 controls the operation ofthe solenoid 740 to lift the pen 71 up and down, as appropriate.Accordingly, the nib 713 follows the height of the nail T and moves upand down while maintaining appropriate instrument pressure so that adesired nail design can be drawn on the surface of the nail T being thedrawing target.

Next, the operation and usage of the nail printing apparatus 1 in theembodiment are described.

When the nail printing apparatus 1 performs drawing, the user firstturns on the power switch and starts the control apparatus 80.

The display control unit 814 causes the display unit 26 to display thedesign selection screen. The user operates the operation button and thelike of the operating unit 25, and selects a desired nail design from aplurality of nail designs displayed on the design selection screen.Accordingly, a selection instruction signal is output from the operatingunit 25 to select the nail design to be drawn on the nail T.

When the nail design has been selected, the control unit 81 causes thedisplay unit 26 to display an instruction screen to prompt the settingof a pen 71 necessary to draw the selected nail design in apredetermined pen carriage 72 of the drawing head 70.

For example, when a red ink and a gold lame ink are required, aninstruction on which ink pen 71 should be mounted in the pen carriage 72is provided on the display unit 26.

The user follows the instruction displayed on the display screen andsets a predetermined type of pen 71 in a predetermined pen carriage 72.

The user may set a different pen 71 from the instruction on purpose, andrealize a nail design with a favorite color and texture.

The control unit 81 may be configured to be able to read which type ofpen 71 is set in the pen carriage 72 with a barcode or the like. In thiscase, it may be configured in such a manner as that nail designs thatcan be drawn with the pen 71 set in the pen carriage 72 are displayed onthe design selection screen of the display unit 26, and the user isallowed to select a nail design from them.

Next, after inserting the print finger U1 into the finger receivingsection 31, inserting the non-print fingers U2 into the fingerwithdrawal section 32, and fixing the print finger U1, the user operatesa drawing switch.

For example, if the ring finger of the left hand is inserted as theprint finger U1 into the finger receiving section 31, the other fingersare inserted as the non-print fingers U2 into the finger withdrawalsection 32.

When an instruction is input from the drawing switch, the photographingcontrol unit 811 first controls the photographing unit 50 beforestarting a drawing operation, and photographs the print finger U1 withthe two cameras 51 while lighting up the print finger U1 with theillumination lamps 52. Consequently, the photographing control unit 811acquires at least two images of the nail T (nail images) of the printfinger U1 inserted into the finger receiving section 31.

Next, the nail information detection unit 812 detects the nailinformation such as the outline of the nail T (the nail shape) and theinclination angle of the nail T (the nail curvature) based on the nailimages.

When the nail information detection unit 812 detects the outline of thenail T (the nail shape) and the inclination angle of the nail T (thenail curvature), the drawing data generation unit 813 performs theadjustment process to the nail T on the image data of the nail design.

The drawing data generation unit 813 makes a curved surface correctionon the image data of the nail design based on the nail information.

Consequently, drawing data is generated.

The drawing control unit 815 moves the drawing unit 7 to the penbreak-in section 61 before the start of drawing on the nail T, drivesthe solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 of the pen carriage 72holding the pen 71, presses the pen 71 down with the flat spring 746,and brings the pen 71 into a drawable state.

Breaking-in of drawing a predetermined shape such as “o” or “∞” is thenperformed on the drawn medium.

Breaking-in may be performed for only the pen 71 necessary to draw theselected nail design or may be performed for all the pens 71.

When the drawing data has been generated and break-in is complete, thedrawing control unit 815 outputs a control signal to the drawing unit 7based on the drawing data, and causes the drawing head 70 to draw basedon the drawing data.

Specifically, first, the drawing control unit 815 grasps the amount ofrotation of the pen carriage 72 from the read result of the referenceindicator 728 by the indicator reading portion 734, and controls thedrive of the step motor 731 in accordance with the amount of rotation ofthe pen carriage 72. The pen carriage 72 is rotated until the pen 71necessary for drawing moves to a position where the pen pressingmechanism 74 is provided.

Furthermore, the drawing head 70 is moved in the X-Y direction, asappropriate, and is moved to the drawing position. The pen pressingmechanism 74 is operated to press the auxiliary shaft members 725downward with the flat spring 746.

Consequently, the pen 71 is pressed downward to press the nib 713 of thepen 71 against the surface of the nail T.

At this point in time, the nib 713 is biased downward by the flat spring746 with an appropriate pressing force. Drawing is performed on thesurface of the nail T while the nib 713 is moving up and down followingthe shape of the surface of the nail T.

If drawing is performed on the nails T of a plurality of fingers, afterthe drawing process is finished for the nail T of one finger, the fingerof the already drawn nail T is pulled out from the finger receivingsection 31. A finger of the nail T on which drawing is performed next isinserted as the print finger U1 into the finger receiving section 31.Nail images of the nail T are acquired. The above processes arerepeated.

If the pen 71 is replaced, the drawing control unit 815 moves thedrawing head 70 to a position corresponding to the pen replacementpurpose cover unit 23.

The user opens the pen replacement purpose cover unit 23 in this state.Accordingly, it becomes possible to pull out and replace the pen 71.

As described above, the nail printing apparatus 1 of the embodiment isprovided on a side of the pen carriage 72 with the nib fitting members720 into which the tip portion sides (the fitting portions 712) of thepen shaft portions 711 of the pens 71 are fitted. The nib fitting member720 is provided with the auxiliary shaft members 725 that are fixed inparallel with the pen shaft portion 711 and move up and down togetherwith the pen 71, and the coil springs 726 as the auxiliary shaft biasingmembers that bias the auxiliary shaft members 725 upward in the statewhere the external force is not applied. The downward external force isapplied to the auxiliary shaft members 725 via the flat spring 746 beingthe press side elastic member of the pen pressing mechanism 74.

Consequently, when the pen pressing mechanism 74 applies the downwardexternal force to the protrusion 714 of the upper part of the pen viathe slide pin 77, the pen 71 is pressed down. The nib fitting member 720joined to the fitting portion 712 of the pen 71 is pressed down.Accordingly, the auxiliary shaft members 725 are also lowered so thatthe coil springs 726 are compressed. Hence, the nib 713 comes intocontact with the surface of the nail T while maintaining appropriateinstrument pressure, and it enters a state where drawing can beperformed on the surface of the nail T.

When the nib 713 touches the nail T to lift the pen 71, the flat spring746 bends and deforms and also the nib fitting member 720 in contactwith the nib 713, and the auxiliary shaft members 725 are lifted upwardby the restoring forces of the coil springs 726.

Consequently, even if the height of the nail T being the drawing targetsurface changes, the nib 713 follows the shape of the nail T andsmoothly moves up and down. At the same time, the fitting portion 712 isfixed to the nib fitting member 720. The flat spring 746 absorbs theimpact caused by the up and down movements of the pen 71. The wobble andshake of the nib 713 in the X-Y direction can be suppressed.

Consequently, it makes it possible to relatively largely move the pen 71up and down following the shape of the nail T while the wobble and shakeof the nib 713 of when the pen 71 is relatively largely moved up anddown can be suppressed and a highly colorful nail print can beperformed.

Here, the pen 71 has a simple configuration where the nib 713 is simplyprovided to the pen shaft portion 711. Hence, the pen 71 can be formedrelatively narrow.

Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and the like, it is possible tomake the diameter of the pen-specific cylindrical member 761 that holdsthe pen 71 small. Accordingly, the pen carriage 72 can be configured tohold many pens 71.

Furthermore, the pen carriage 72 itself can be minimized, and byextension the downsizing of the entire nail printing apparatus 1 canalso be achieved.

Furthermore, as described above, the configuration of the pen 71 can besimplified. Accordingly, the pen 71 being a consumable can bemanufactured relatively easily and at low cost.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the nail printing apparatus according tothe present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C.

The embodiment is different only in the configuration of the penpressing mechanism from the first embodiment. Accordingly, differentpoints from the first embodiment are mainly described below.

FIG. 10A is a top view of the drawing head 70.

FIG. 10B is a front view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 10A when viewedfrom an arrow b direction.

FIG. 10C is a side view of the drawing head 70 of FIG. 10A when viewedfrom an arrow c direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10C, in the embodiment, the pen pressingmechanism 74 includes the solenoid 740 having a similar configuration tothat of the first embodiment, the flat spring lift lever 744 connectedon one end side to the solenoid 740 via the pin 743, and a flat spring747 attached to the other end side of the flat spring lift lever 744.

The flat spring 747 is the press side elastic member in the embodiment.

The flat spring 747 bends at two points on the free end side and isformed in a substantially angular U shape in side view.

A lower surface of the flat spring 747 bent into an angular U shapeserves as the pressing surface 747 a that presses the upper end of theprotrusion 714 of the pen 71.

The pressing surface 747 a is configured in such a manner as to comeinto contact with the upper end of the protrusion 714 of the pen 71 andbe able to press the auxiliary shaft members 725.

The pressing surface 747 a of the flat spring 747 comes into line orsurface contact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71. Accordingly, theflat spring 747 is configured to be able to stably press down in thevertical direction the protrusion 714 of the pen 71, and the pen 71,which moves up and down in conjunction with the protrusion 714.

The shape of the flat spring 747 is not limited to the one illustratedherein by example.

For example, the flat spring 747 on the free end side may not have anangular U shape but may have a U shape or the like. The free end side ofthe flat spring 747 may be bent like a crank.

In any shape, it is preferable that the part (the pressing surface 747 ain the embodiment) of the flat spring 747, which comes into contact withthe protrusion 714 of the pen 71, be a “line or surface.”

In other words, if the flat spring 747 is configured to come into pointcontact with the protrusion 714 of the pen 71, the flat spring 747 maydeviate from the protrusion 714 of the pen 71. Hence, in order to enablethe flat spring 747 to stably and securely press the auxiliary shaftmembers 725, the width of the flat spring 747 is made sufficiently wideand is configured to come into line or surface contact with theprotrusion 714 of the pen 71.

With the above configuration, in the embodiment, the coil portion 741 ofthe solenoid 740 is not energized at the time of non-drawing.Accordingly, the plunger 742 is in a state of protruding toward thefront side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the left side in FIG. 2) sothat the flat spring 747 does not press the upper end of the protrusion714 of the pen 71.

In this manner, in the state where the external force (the pressingforce by the flat spring 747) is not applied, the auxiliary shaftmembers 725 are pressed upward by the biasing forces of the coil springs726. The pen 71, which moves up and down in conjunction with theauxiliary shaft members 725, is also moved upward. The nib 713 is heldat the height that does not come into contact with the surface of thenail T being the drawing target surface.

In contrast, the coil portion 741 of the solenoid 740 is energized atthe time of drawing. Accordingly, the plunger 742 enters a state ofbeing pulled toward the back side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (theright side in FIG. 2).

Consequently, the flat spring lift lever 744 having one end into whichthe pin 743 of the plunger 742 is fitted pivots on the supporting shaft745. The flat spring 747 attached to the flat spring lift lever 744 isinclined downward. The free end side of the flat spring 747 presses downthe upper end of the protrusion 714 of the pen 71. The pen 71 is presseddownward. The nib 713 comes into contact with the surface of the nail Tbeing the drawing target surface.

Also in the case of the embodiment, the spring constant of the flatspring 747 is larger than the spring constant of the coil spring 726being the auxiliary shaft biasing member. Hence, in the state where thenail T is not placed below the pen 71, the flat spring 747 can press thepen 71 down to the lowest point only by being slightly bent.

If the solenoid 740 of the pen pressing mechanism 74 is operated in thestate where the print finger U1 is inserted into the finger receivingsection 31, the coil portion 741 of the solenoid 740 is energized.Accordingly, the plunger 742 enters a state of being pulled toward theback side of the nail printing apparatus 1 (the right side in FIG. 2).The flat spring lift lever 744 having one end into which the pin 743 ofthe plunger 742 is fitted pivots on the supporting shaft 745.

Consequently, the flat spring 747 attached to the flat spring lift lever744 is inclined downward. The free end side presses down the upper endof the protrusion 714 of the pen 71 to press the auxiliary shaft members725 downward. The pen 71 is pressed downward. Accordingly, the nib 713comes into contact with the surface of the nail T.

The nib 713 then touches the nail T to press the pen 71 up. Accordingly,the flat spring 747 is pressed by the protrusion 714 of the pen 71 andbends and deforms (elastically deforms).

Consequently, the pen 71 follows the height of the nail T, maintainingappropriate instrument pressure.

The spring constant of the flat spring 747 is not so large. The springconstant is set to a value with the magnitude that does not cause painand the like on the nail T when the pressing force (external force) bythe flat spring 747 is applied on the nail T.

Here, the flat spring 747 is appropriately bent to absorb the impactcaused by the up and down movements of the pen 71 and also drawing canbe beautifully performed with appropriate instrument pressure applied onthe nib 713.

The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.

Next, the operation of the nail printing apparatus 1 in the embodimentis described.

First, as in the first embodiment, the selection of a nail design, thedetection of the nail information, and the like are performed before thestart of the drawing operation.

Upon drawing, specifically, the drawing control unit 815 first graspsthe amount of rotation of the pen carriage 72 from the read result ofthe reference indicator 728 by the indicator reading portion 734. Thedrive of the step motor 731 is controlled in accordance with the amountof rotation of the pen carriage 72. The pen carriage 72 is rotated untila pen 71 necessary for drawing moves to the position where the penpressing mechanism 74 is provided.

Furthermore, the drawing head 70 is moved in the X-Y direction, asappropriate, and moved to the drawing position. The pen pressingmechanism 74 is operated so that the flat spring 747 presses theprotrusion 714 of the pen 71 downward. Consequently, the pen 71 ispressed downward. The nib 713 of the pen 71 is pressed against thesurface of the nail T.

At this point in time, the nib 713 is biased downward by the flat spring747 with an appropriate pressing force. The nib 713 draws on the surfaceof the nail T while moving up and down following the shape of thesurface of the nail T.

The other points are similar to those of the first embodiment.Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.

As described above, according to the embodiment, similar effects to thefirst embodiment can be obtained. The following effects can also beobtained.

In other words, in the embodiment, the press side elastic member of thepen pressing mechanism 74 includes only the flat spring 747.

Hence, the configuration of the pen pressing mechanism 74 can be furthersimplified. Accordingly, the number of parts and the number of man-hourscan be reduced so that the action cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, a reduction in size and weight of the entire apparatus canalso be achieved.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the nail printing apparatus according to thepresent invention is described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11D and12A to 12C.

The embodiment is different only in the configurations of the pen andthe nib fitting member from the first and second embodiments.Accordingly, different points from the first and second embodiments aremainly described below.

FIG. 11A is a top view of a pen in the embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the pen of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a side view of a nib fitting member into which the pen ofFIG. 11A is fitted and auxiliary shaft members.

FIG. 11D is a bottom view of the nib fitting member and the auxiliaryshaft members of FIG. 11C when viewed from an arrow d direction.

FIG. 12A is a side view that enlarges a part of a pen carriage in astate where the auxiliary shaft members are not being pressed in theembodiment.

FIG. 12B is a side view that enlarges a part of the pen carriage in astate where the auxiliary shaft members are being pressed in theembodiment.

FIG. 12C is a bottom view of the pen carriage of FIG. 12A when viewedfrom an arrow c direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a pen 750 (drawing tool) of theembodiment includes a pen shaft portion 751 and a nib 753 as in thefirst embodiment.

A tip portion of the pen 750 is provided with a threaded portion 752having a smaller diameter than that of the pen shaft portion 751 and anexternal thread formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a taperedportion 754 gradually reducing in diameter from the pen shaft portion751 side toward the threaded portion 752.

The external thread provided to the threaded portion 752 may be a singlestart thread, a double start thread, a triple start thread, or the like.

If the external thread provided to the threaded portion 752 is a doublestart thread or a triple start thread, the number of revolutions toscrew down the thread is less than the case of a single start thread,which is preferable.

In the embodiment, the threaded portion 752 and the tapered portion 754are integrally provided. The entire configuration is like a flat headscrew.

The pen 750 includes a rod-like protrusion 755 at the top of the penshaft portion 751.

In the embodiment, the protrusion 755 has a quadratic prism shape beinga substantially rectangle in top view, as illustrated in FIG. 11A.

In the embodiment, as described below, the user rotates the pen 750axially to screw down the pen 750. Accordingly, the pen 750 is fittedinto a nib fitting member 700. The protrusion 755 functions as a holdingportion to be held between the fingers or the like when the user rotatesthe pen.

Since the protrusion 755 is shaped into a quadratic prism, it ispossible to hold the protrusion 755 more firmly than the case where theprotrusion 755 is cylindrical, and fix the pen 750 securely and easily.

The shape and the like of the protrusion 755 are required to be one thatis easy to hold and can securely apply power upon the rotation of thepen 750, and are not limited to the illustrated examples.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11C and 11D, the nib fitting member 700 of theembodiment is provided with fixing portions 703 in which the auxiliaryshaft members 725 are fitted as in the first embodiment. The fixingportion 703 may be a through hole or a blind recess.

In the embodiment, the nib fitting member 700 includes a through hole701 having an internal thread to be fitted with the external thread ofthe threaded portion 752 of the pen 750, the internal thread beingformed on the inner peripheral surface, and a taper receiving portion702 at a position corresponding to the through hole 701 on a surface onthe tip portion insertion side of the nib fitting member 700, the taperreceiving portion 702 being formed into a bowl for receiving the taperedportion 754.

Here, in the above description, the thread of the threaded portion 752is an external thread, and the thread of the through hole 701 is aninternal thread. However, the thread of the threaded portion 752 may bean internal thread, and the thread of the through hole 701 may be anexternal thread.

The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodimentand the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are assigned tothe same members and their descriptions are omitted.

In the embodiment, when replacing and newly attaching the pen 750, theuser inserts the nib 753 into the through hole 701 of the nib fittingmember 700, and rotates the pen 750 with a hold of the protrusion 755between fingers or the like. Accordingly, the external thread of thethreaded portion 752 is threadedly engaged with the internal thread ofthe through hole 701.

At this point in time, with the progress of screwing the thread, thetapered portion 754 comes into intimate contact with the taper receivingportion 702. Consequently, the pen 750 is fitted into the nib fittingmember 700 in a no-wobble state and fixed therein.

Also when the pen 750 moves up and down at the time of drawing, asillustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the threaded portion 752 of the pen 750is screwed into the through hole 701 of the nib fitting member 700. Thestate where the tapered portion 754 is in intimate contact with thetaper receiving portion 702 is maintained. Hence, the nib 753 does notwobble or shake.

At the time of drawing, the auxiliary shaft members 725 provided inparallel with the pen 750 move up and down together with the nib fittingmember 700 and the pen 750 fixed to the nib fitting member 700. Hence,the movement of the pen 750 can be stabilized. Accordingly, the pen 750can be smoothly moved up and down.

The other points are similar to those of the first embodiment.Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.

As described above, according to the embodiment, similar effects to thefirst embodiment and the like can be obtained. The following effects canalso be obtained.

In other words, in the embodiment, the threaded portion 752 provided tothe tip portion of the pen 750 is screwed into the through hole 701 ofthe nib fitting member 700. Accordingly, the nib 753 can be moresecurely fixed to the nib fitting member 700.

Furthermore, the part continuous with the threaded portion 752 is thetapered portion 754. The tapered portion 754 is received by the taperreceiving portion 702 provided on the nib fitting member 700 side.

Hence, when the threaded portion 752 is screwed into the through hole701, a wobble can be more securely suppressed. Also when setting the pen750, even if the user does not make a precise position adjustment andset the pen 750 above the nib fitting member 700, the user places thepen 750 down in the taper receiving portion 702 and rotates the pen 750so that the nib 753 is automatically guided to a central portion of thethrough hole 701 and positioned and fixed at the right position.

Hence, the pen 750 can be set easily. At the same time, the nib 753 canalso be perfectly fixed with no play. Consequently, a shake of the nib753 is prevented excellently. Delicate, fine nail arts such as “lace”and “flower” can be stably done without fail.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the nail printing apparatus according tothe present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B and14A to 14C.

The embodiment is different in the configuration of the pen carriage ofa print head from the first embodiment and the like. Accordingly,different points from the first embodiment and the like are mainlydescribed below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a drawing head 70 a holds four pens750 in the embodiment. The pens 750 are respectively held by thepen-specific cylindrical members 761 similar to those of the firstembodiment and the like.

Four plate-like members 730 having a through hole through which the pen750 is inserted are attached to the beam portion 441 of the embodiment.The pen-specific cylindrical members 761 are respectively attached tothe plate-like members 730.

The nib fitting member 700 having a similar configuration to that of thethird embodiment is provided below each pen-specific cylindrical member761. The pen 750 and the auxiliary shaft members 725 are fixed to thenib fitting member 700.

In other words, the pen 750 includes the threaded portion 752 and thetapered portion 754. The nib fitting member 700 includes the throughhole 701 into which the threaded portion 752 is screwed, and the taperreceiving portion 702 that receives the tapered portion 754. It isconfigured to be able to suppress a wobble more securely by screwing thethreaded portion 752 into the through hole 701.

The auxiliary shaft member 725 of the embodiment includes a protrudingmember 729 protruding in a direction away from the axial center of thepen 750 being the drawing tool.

The beam portion 441 is provided with four plate-like members 730 andfour supporting plates 443 respectively corresponding to thepen-specific cylindrical members 761. Each supporting plate 443 isprovided with a solenoid 780 and a supporting shaft 781.

An arm member 782 that swings in response to the operation of thesolenoid 780 is coupled to each solenoid 780 and supporting shaft 781. Aflat spring 765 is attached to a free end of the arm member 782.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 14A to 14C, the flat spring 765includes a through hole 765 a through which the pen 750 and theauxiliary shaft members 725 are inserted, and also engaging portions 765b that can come into contact with the protruding members 729.

In the embodiment, it is configured in such a manner as that when thesolenoid 780 is turned on/off to swing the arm member 782, the flatspring 765 also moves up and down. The solenoid 780 functions as a flatspring moving mechanism that, in a state where the protruding members729 are in contact with the engaging portions 765 b of the flat spring765, moves the flat spring 765 to a first position to apply, to theauxiliary shaft members 725 and the pen 750, the external force in adirection where the tip portion of the pen 750 approaches the surface ofthe nail T being the drawing target surface, or a second position wherethe engaging portions 765 b of the flat spring 765 do not come intocontact with the protruding members 729.

The other configurations are similar to those of the third embodimentand the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are assigned tothe same members and their descriptions are omitted.

In the embodiment, when the solenoid 780 is OFF state, the free end sideof the arm member 782 is lift up as illustrated by a solid line in FIG.13B. The flat spring 765 attached to the free end is also lifted up, andlocated at the second position where the protruding members 729 do notcome into contact with the engaging portions 765 b. In this state, asillustrated in FIG. 14A, the nib 753 is lifted up and enters anon-drawing state of not coming into contact with the nail T.

When the solenoid 780 is energized to be turned on, the arm member ispulled as illustrated by a dot and dash line in FIG. 13B to rotate withthe supporting shaft 781 as the pivot. The flat spring provided on thefree end side of the arm member is pressed downward.

At this point in time, the engaging portions 765 b of the flat spring765 touch the protruding members 729. The flat spring presses theauxiliary shaft members 725 and the pen 750 downward in a state wherethe protruding members 729 are in contact with the engaging portions 765b. The flat spring is located at the first position of applying, to theauxiliary shaft members 725 and the pen 750, the external force in thedirection where the tip portion of the pen 750 approaches the surface ofthe nail T being the drawing target surface (in other words, thedownward external force in the embodiment).

In this manner, even if the flat spring 765 moves up and down by theturning-on/off of the solenoid 780, the pen 750 is securely fixed byplacing the tapered portion 754 in the taper receiving portion 702 andscrewing the threaded portion 752 into the through hole 701. Therefore,the pen 750 will not wobble and can draw following the height of thenail.

The other points are similar to those of the first embodiment and thelike. Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.

As described above, according to the embodiment, similar effects to thefirst embodiment and the like can be obtained. The following effects canalso be obtained.

In other words, in the embodiment, the combination of the solenoid 780and the flat spring 765 enables the pen 750 to move up and down. Drawingwith the pen 750 can be achieved with a simple and inexpensiveconfiguration.

Also in this case, the threaded portion 752 provided to the tip portionof the pen 750 is screwed into the through hole 701 of the nib fittingmember 700. Accordingly, the nib 753 can be securely fixed to the nibfitting member 700. It becomes possible to prevent a shake of the nib753 and draw a delicate, fine nail art stably without fail.

The mechanism that moves the flat spring 765 up and down is not limitedto the one illustrated in the embodiment.

For example, a stepping motor may be used instead of the solenoid 780.In this case, it is preferable to include a micro switch for detectingthe speed of the stepping motor and controlling the movement of themotor.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the nail printing apparatus according to thepresent invention is described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.

The embodiment is different in the configuration of the drawing headfrom the first embodiment and the like. Accordingly, different pointsfrom the first embodiment and the like are mainly described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the embodiment, a drawing head70 b includes an inkjet print head 90 that ejects ink reduced intosmaller droplets onto the surface of the nail T being the drawing targetsurface, and draws, in addition to the pen-specific cylindrical member761 as a carriage that holds the pen 750 as the drawing tool to drawwith its tip portion in contact with the surface of the nail T being thedrawing target surface.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate the configuration including one pen 750.However, the number of the pens 750 provided to the drawing head 70 b isnot specially limited.

The print head 90 is supported by a carriage 91. The pen 750 of theembodiment, the solenoid 780 for moving the pen 750 up and down, and thelike are attached to the carriage 91 of the print head 90.

In the embodiment, the pen-specific cylindrical member 761 as thecarriage that holds the pen 750 being the drawing tool, and the printhead 90 can be moved simultaneously by a head drive unit. The head driveunit functions as a moving mechanism that moves the pen 750 and theprint head 90 simultaneously.

The configuration where the print head 90 ejects ink is not speciallylimited. For example, a bubble jet (registered trademark) or thermalinkjet head can be applied.

The other configurations are similar to those of the third embodimentand the like. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are assigned tothe same members and their descriptions are omitted.

In the embodiment, the solenoid 780 is operated to bring the nib 753 ofthe pen 750 into contact with the nail T. The pen 750 is used to apply,for example, a base coat and a background color to the nail T. Ink isthen ejected from the inkjet print head 90 to draw a fine pattern andthe like.

The other points are similar to those of the first embodiment and thelike. Accordingly, their descriptions are omitted.

As described above, according to the embodiment, similar effects to thethird embodiment and the like can be obtained. The following effects canalso be obtained.

In other words, in the embodiment, both the pen 750 and the inkjet printhead 90 are included.

Hence, the pen 750 is used to draw for, for example, an ink with a highviscosity that is difficult to eject in the inkjet method, and a basecoat ink. Delicate patterns and the like are drawn with the inkjet printhead 90. They are used by making use of their features so that a rangeof nail print variations that can be drawn by the nail printingapparatus can be widened.

The moving mechanism that moves the pen 750 and the print head 90simultaneously is included. Accordingly, drawing by use of both the pen750 and the print head 90 can be achieved without making theconfiguration complicated.

Up to this point the embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed. However, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments. Needless to say, various modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiments, it is configured in such a manner asthat the coil spring 726 is provided as the auxiliary shaft biasingmember to the outer periphery of the auxiliary shaft member 725.However, the auxiliary shaft biasing member is not limited to the coilspring.

The auxiliary shaft biasing member is required to be an elastic memberthat is placed on the outer periphery of the auxiliary shaft member 725,is compressed when the auxiliary shaft member 725 is pressed downward bythe external force, and has a restoring force that attempts to return tothe original state against the external force. The auxiliary shaftbiasing member may include, for example, rubber.

The auxiliary shaft biasing member is required to be one that can biasthe auxiliary shaft member 725 upward when the external force is notapplied, and is not limited to the elastic member such as the coilspring 726. For example, a mechanism that uses hydraulic pressure or airpressure may be applied as the auxiliary shaft biasing member.

In the first embodiment, the configuration including the flat spring 746and the slide pin 77 as the press side elastic member provided to thepen pressing mechanism 74 is illustrated by example. In the secondembodiment, the configuration including the flat spring 747 isillustrated by example. However, the press side elastic member providedto the pen pressing mechanism 74 is not limited to them.

For example, the pen pressing mechanism 74 may include a solenoid havinga plunger that moves linearly in the up and down direction. The upperend of the auxiliary shaft member 725 may be pressed by a lower end ofthe plunger.

In this case, a press side elastic member (for example, a coil spring)that can deform elastically when being pressed upward by the auxiliaryshaft member 725 is placed on the outer periphery or the like of theplunger.

The embodiments illustrate the case where the nail printing apparatus 1includes the pen carriage 72 that can attach eight pens 71. However, thenumber of the pens 71 to be held by the nail printing apparatus 1 is notlimited to eight. A pen carriage that can attach, for example, 10 ormore pens 71 may be included. As the number of attachable pens 71 isincreased, it becomes possible to draw a more complicated nail designusing many colors.

The pen carriage may be configured to be not able to hold a plurality ofpens simultaneously but be able to attach only one pen 71. In this case,there is no need to rotate the pen carriage. There is no need to includethe carriage rotating mechanism 73 having the step motor 731 and thelike, the reference indicator 728 of the pen carriage 72, and theindicator reading portion 734 for reading the reference indicator 728.Hence, the configuration of the apparatus can be further simplified. Areduction in size and weight of the apparatus can be achieved.

A mechanism that automatically replaces the pen 71 to be attached to thepen carriage 72 may be mounted. In this case, for example, a pluralityof pens is held in a waiting space, and a pen is selected automaticallyfrom there to be attached to the pen carriage 72. With such aconfiguration, the number of pens 71 that can be held by the apparatuscan also be increased.

It may be a system where the user replaces the pen 71 to be attached tothe pen carriage 72 manually if necessary, as appropriate.

In the embodiment, the configuration using a solenoid as the penpressing mechanism that moves the pen 71 up and down is illustrated byexample. However, the configuration of the pen pressing mechanism is notlimited to this. For example, it may include a step motor, a DC motor, amotor, or a ball screw.

The embodiments illustrate the example of forming the X-direction movingstage 45 and the Y-direction moving stage 47, which are for moving thedrawing head 70, with a combination of the X-direction movement motor 46and the Y-direction movement motor 48, which are step motors, andunillustrated ball screws and guides. However, the configuration formoving the drawing head 70 is not limited to this.

The X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-direction movement motor 48are required to be able to freely move the drawing head 70 back, front,left, and right. The X-direction movement motor 46 and the Y-directionmovement motor 48 may be, for example, configured using a mechanismincluding a shaft, a guide, and a wire, which are used in a knowninexpensive printer or the like, or may be configured using a servomotor or the like.

The embodiments illustrate the example of using the step motor 731 asthe drive means of the carriage rotating mechanism 73 that rotates thepen carriage 72 of the drawing head 70. However, the configuration ofthe carriage rotating mechanism 73 is not limited to this.

For example, the carriage rotating mechanism that rotates the pencarriage of the drawing head may include a ratchet mechanism and asolenoid.

In the embodiment, one that draws with ink is illustrated as the pen.However, the pen to be attached to the drawing head is not limited to apen that draws with ink.

For example, a pen storing colorless or colored transparent liquid glueis attached to the drawing head. A predetermined pattern is drawn(applied) with the liquid glue using the attached pen. Powder lame andthe like are then sprinkled or rhinestones and the like are affixedbefore the liquid glue dries. Accordingly, a more gorgeous nail designcan also be realized.

It may also be configured in such a manner as that a pen storing liquidor the like with flavor is attached to the drawing head to draw with thepen so that scented nail printing can be enjoyed.

In the embodiment, the case of using a drawn medium being a slip ofpaper for pen break-in is illustrated. The drawn medium is not limitedto paper. The drawn medium may use a roll. In this case, a mediumfeeding mechanism is provided which unreels and winds the drawn mediumautomatically or manually. If the drawn medium is a roll, a mediumattachment/detachment port for attaching/detaching the rolled drawnmedium is provided instead of the medium insertion/removal port 24.

In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where the drawingdata generation unit 813 adjusts the image data of a nail design to theshape of the nail T and also makes a curved surface correction on theimage data of the nail design to generate the image data. However, thegeneration of the drawing data with the drawing data generation unit 813is not an essential component of the present invention. For example, thedrawing data may not be generated separately, and the drawing controlunit 815 may perform drawing control in such a manner as that the imagedata of the nail design is converted by an LUT (Lookup Table) or thelike, as appropriate while being output to the drawing head and drawingis performed in accordance with the nail shape.

In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where the shape ofthe nail T is detected as the nail information and drawing data isgenerated based on the nail information. However, the detection of thenail shape is not an essential component of the present invention. Forexample, as in the case of drawing a one-point pattern in the middle ofthe nail T, if it is not essential in drawing to extract the outline ofthe nail T, there is no need to recognize the shape of the nail Tcorrectly. Drawing can be performed without detecting the nail shape.

The imaging apparatus is not limited to the camera 51 that captures astill image, and may be one that can capture a moving image. In thiscase, a moving image is captured by a camera. An image of a top surfaceof the nail T is cut out from the captured moving image, as appropriate,which is used for the detection of the nail information.

In the embodiment, the case is taken as an example, where the nail imagestorage area 821, the nail information storage area 822, and the naildesign storage area 823 are provided within the storage unit 82 of thecontrol apparatus 80. However, it is not limited to the case where thenail image storage area 821, the nail information storage area 822, andthe nail design storage area 823 are provided in the storage unit 82 ofthe control apparatus 80, and a storage unit may be provided separately.

In the embodiment, the nail printing apparatus 1 where fingers areinserted into the apparatus one by one and drawing is performed on thefingers sequentially is taken as an example. However, the presentinvention can also be applied to an apparatus that can continuously drawon a plurality of fingers without removing the fingers.

For example, the operating area of the pen is enlarged to make thedrawable area larger. Accordingly, it also becomes possible tocontinuously draw on the nails of fingers in a state where a pluralityof print fingers U1 is inserted simultaneously.

Some embodiments of the present invention have been described above.However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments, but includes the scope of the inventiondescribed in the claims, and an equivalent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drawing apparatus comprising: a mountingsection including a mounting surface configured to mount thereon adrawing target object having a drawing target surface; a carriageincluding a fitting member configured to be fitted with a tip portion ofa drawing tool having the tip portion on one end side, and be movabletogether with the drawing tool whose tip portion is fitted therein, anda biasing member biasing the fitting member in a first direction awayfrom the mounting surface; and a drawing tool pressing mechanismconfigured to press the drawing tool whose tip portion is fitted in thefitting member in a second direction where the tip portion approachesthe mounting surface with a larger force than a biasing force of thebiasing member, and bring the tip portion into contact with the drawingtarget surface of the drawing target object mounted on the mountingsurface.
 2. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising anauxiliary shaft member fixed at one end to the fitting member andconfigured to be movable together with the drawing tool whose tipportion is fitted in the fitting member.
 3. The drawing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the biasing member is an elastic memberplaced on an outer periphery of the auxiliary shaft member andcompressed upon the drawing tool being pressed by the drawing toolpressing mechanism in the first direction, the elastic member having arestoring force attempting to return to the original state against anexternal force.
 4. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe drawing tool includes a shaft portion having the tip portion on oneend side, and a fitting portion at the tip portion, the fitting portionhaving a diameter smaller than that of the shaft portion, and thefitting member includes a through hole in which the fitting portion ismounted and fitted.
 5. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the drawing tool includes, at the tip portion, a threadedportion having one of an external thread and an internal thread, and thefitting member includes a through hole having an internal peripheralsurface on which the other of an external thread and an internal threadto be fitted with the threaded portion is formed.
 6. The drawingapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the threaded portion has adiameter smaller than that of the shaft portion, the drawing toolincludes a tapered portion at the tip portion, the tapered portiongradually reducing in diameter toward the threaded portion, and thefitting member includes a taper receiving portion formed into a bowlshape configured to receive the tapered portion.
 7. The drawingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing tool pressingmechanism includes an elastically deformable press side elastic memberconfigured to come into contact with the drawing tool and press thedrawing tool in the second direction, the press side elastic member is aflat spring, and the flat spring elastically deforms upon pressing thedrawing tool in the second direction, and bends and deforms upon thedrawing tool being pressed up in accordance with the shape of thedrawing target surface at the time of drawing.
 8. The drawing apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the drawing tool pressing mechanismfurther includes a flat spring moving mechanism connected to one endside of the flat spring and configured to selectively move the flatspring to a first position where the other end side of the flat springcomes into direct contact with the other end side of the drawing tool topress the drawing tool in the second direction, or a second position inno contact with the other end of the drawing tool.
 9. The drawingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drawing tool pressingmechanism further includes a slide pin having one end and the other end,the other end being able to come into contact with the other end side ofthe drawing tool, the other end being biased by a pin elastic member ina direction away from the other end side of the drawing tool, and a flatspring moving mechanism connected to one end side of the flat spring andconfigured to selectively move the flat spring to a first position ofbringing the other end side of the flat spring into contact with the oneend of the slide pin, pressing the slide pin in a direction where theother end comes into contact with the other end side of the drawingtool, bringing the other end of the slide pin into contact with theother end side of the drawing tool, pressing the drawing tool in thesecond direction, and bringing the tip portion into contact with thedrawing target surface, or a second position of not pressing the slidepin.
 10. The drawing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising anauxiliary shaft member fixed at one end to the fitting member andconfigured to be movable together with the drawing tool whose tipportion is fitted in the fitting member, wherein the auxiliary shaftmember includes a protruding member protruding in a direction away fromthe axial center of the drawing tool, the flat spring includes a throughhole through which the drawing tool and the auxiliary shaft member areinserted, and an engaging portion being able to come into contact withthe protruding member, and the drawing tool pressing mechanism includesa flat spring moving mechanism configured to selectively move the flatspring to a first position where the engaging portion of the flat springcomes into contact with the protruding member to press the drawing toolvia the auxiliary shaft member in the second direction, or a secondposition where the protruding member does not come into contact with theengaging portion of the flat spring.
 11. The drawing apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a print head configured to eject inkreduced into smaller droplets onto the drawing target surface, and draw.12. The drawing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising amoving mechanism configured to move the carriage and the print headsimultaneously.